Tadej Znidarcic

Photographer

www.tadejznidarcic.com/

Parenting the Missing

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Location: New York, NY

Nationality: Slovenia

Biography: Tadej Znidarcic is a photographer born in Ljubljana, Slovenia, where he received a university degree in physics. He is a graduate of the International Center of Photography in New York City. In addition to being a photographer, Tadej is also a... MORE

Omiya Anyima, Kitgum District, in the morning.

1 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Omiya Anyima, Kitgum District, in the morning.

Odora Nakumiya sits in the gard...sadness that it did not happen.

2 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Odora Nakumiya sits in the garden by his house in Panyum Obanlwane Village, Kitgum District.

One early morning in the 1990s fighters from the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) forcefully entered Odora Nakumiya’s hut in northern Uganda and grabbed his sixteen-year-old son, Charles. Nakumiya knew what that meant. He started pleading with the rebels but they would not listen. They were following the orders of Joseph Kony, their notorious leader, and had heard similar pleas many times before. They knocked Nakumiya unconscious and dragged Charles away. Nakumiya's wife could only watch as her son disappeared into tall grass.

After Charles' abduction Nakumiya always inquired of people that escaped from LRA if they know anything about his son. But no one could remember Charles or recognize him in photographs. Nakumiya doesn't know if Charles died or if he's still with the LRA in the border area of the Central African Republic and South Sudan.

Nakumiya and his family suffered intense distress because of the abduction. His daughter Suzanne developed physical problems and died of an illness. His wife's grief was so strong that she had a mental breakdown. When she was struck by lighting in 2012, Nakumiya remained alone. Every day he thinks about what had happened and hopes that this will be the day he will get Charles back. Every night he falls asleep in sadness that it did not happen.

Odora Nakumiya holds the pictur... deceased wife Alwoch Jeroloda.

3 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Odora Nakumiya holds the picture of his deceased wife Alwoch Jeroloda.

Odora Nakumiya stands in his hu...r and wife and now lives alone.

4 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Odora Nakumiya stands in his hut in Panyum Obanlwane Village, Kitgum District. Nakumiya's 16-year old son Charles was abducted by the LRA in 1990s and has never returned. After the abduction, Nakumiya lost also his daughter and wife and now lives alone.

Odora Nakumiya weeds his garden...lwane Village, Kitgum District.

5 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Odora Nakumiya weeds his garden in Panyum Obanlwane Village, Kitgum District.

Footprint next to Mary Auma&...n Oryang Ojuma, Kitgum District

6 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Footprint next to Mary Auma's late husband's grave in Oryang Ojuma, Kitgum District

Mary Auma plants sweet potato i...r, only Grace has not returned.

7 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Mary Auma plants sweet potato in her garden in Oryang Ojuma, Kitgum District. Mary's daughter Grace was abducted by the LRA in 2004 at age 14 while they were spending the night at the ginnery in Kitgum Town. Every night they went to the ginnery for safety, but on that fateful night they stayed in the room that had no inside locks. The rebels were able to enter and they abducted four children. Out of four, only Grace has not returned.

Mary Auma stands by the termite... Mary now lives in Kitgum Town.

8 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Mary Auma stands by the termite mound that occupies the spot where her former house was in Oryang Ojuma, Kitgum District during the war. Mary now lives in Kitgum Town.

Pots in the window of a house i...9;s compound in Kitgum, Uganda.

9 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Pots in the window of a house in Mary Auma's compound in Kitgum, Uganda.

William Oryem weeds his field w...ill hopes that is not the case.

10 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

William Oryem weeds his field where he plants ground nuts and cassava close to Kitgum Town. His son Charles was abducted in 1992 at age 17 during a burial ceremony for his cousin's wife in a nearby town. The LRA abducted six people at the burial. William's wife blamed him for sending their son out of town and later divorced him. William thinks it is likely all six abducted people were all killed, but without a solid proof he still hopes that is not the case.

William Oryem smokes a cigarett...as abducted by the LRA in 1992.

11 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

William Oryem smokes a cigarette in a shack close to his home in Kitgum Town. His son Charles was abducted by the LRA in 1992.

William Oryem stands on the roa...his field close to Kitgum Town.

12 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

William Oryem stands on the road by his field close to Kitgum Town.

Palabek Gem Village, Lamwo Dist...e and some are still inhabited.

13 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Palabek Gem Village, Lamwo District. Huts used to be part of the former camp for internally displaced people and some are still inhabited.

Hut in the former camp for inte...in Palabek Gem, Lamwo District.

14 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Hut in the former camp for internally displaced people in Palabek Gem, Lamwo District.

Akot Esther in her hut in Ajoa ...t age 9 and has never returned.

15 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Akot Esther in her hut in Ajoa Gala Village, Lamwo District. Her daughter Santina was abducated by the LRA in 2000 at age 9 and has never returned.

Adong Rita cracks shea nuts in ...d by the LRA in 1997 at age 10.

16 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Adong Rita cracks shea nuts in the hut in her compound in Ajoa Gala Village, Lamwo District. Her grandson Michael was abducted by the LRA in 1997 at age 10.

Oyella Hellen and her mother Ad... since he was abducted in 1997.

17 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Oyella Hellen and her mother Adong Rita stand next to the mango tree that Hellen's son Michael planted in their compound. Hellen has no news of Michael since he was abducted in 1997.

Drawing on the door of the room... the field close to their home.

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Drawing on the door of the room where Atoo Sisilia's three abducted sons used to sleep in Kalama Central Village, Lamwo District. They were abducted by the LRA in 1996 while working in the field close to their home.

Omal Richard sits in his compou...nd she later committed suicide.

19 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Omal Richard sits in his compound in Arusha Village, Lamwo District. His son Adonga Sunday was abducted by the LRA in 1995 at age 10. Richard's wife was also injured in the incident and she later committed suicide.

Omal Richard holds gumboots tha...at Richard has left of his son.

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Omal Richard holds gumboots that belonged to his son Sunday. These gumboots are the only item that Richard has left of his son.

Mukasa Joseph Okidi and Adwar S...an and hasn't returned.

21 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Mukasa Joseph Okidi and Adwar Sibirina stand in their field in Barongwe Village, Kitgum District. Their son Marcelliano was taken by the LRA in 1998 at age 12. The rebels came in the morning and while they were dragging Marcelliano out of the hut he was able to warn other children who escaped into the bush. Marcelliano was taken to Sudan and hasn't returned.

Mukasa Joseph Okidi walks towar...ongwe Village, Kitgum District.

22 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Mukasa Joseph Okidi walks towards his compound in Barongwe Village, Kitgum District.

Anna was abducted by the LRA in...does not want to be identified.

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Anna was abducted by the LRA in 1998 and returned in 2004. Due to stigma of being abducted by the LRA she does not want to be identified.

Atoya Vincent was abducted toge... back home. He lives in a camp.

24 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Atoya Vincent was abducted together with his brother Opira Bosco by the LRA. He escaped with a gun and the LRA took reveng by killing his parents and three other brothers. As a result, Vincent's sister doesn't want him to come back home. He lives in a camp.

Lalum Alicantina. Her daughter ... abducted by the LRA at age 16.

25 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Lalum Alicantina. Her daughter Lanwiel Betty was abducted by the LRA at age 16.

Akumu Mary. Her son Billy Richa...d by the LRA in 1998 at age 18.

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Akumu Mary. Her son Billy Richard was abducted by the LRA in 1998 at age 18.

Ayany Regina. Her son Otede Ric...d by the LRA in 2000 at age 15.

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Ayany Regina. Her son Otede Richard was abducted by the LRA in 2000 at age 15.

Langom Somali. Her child was abducted by the LRA.

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Langom Somali. Her child was abducted by the LRA.

Aparo Leonora. Her daughter Aci...as abducted by the LRA in 1997.

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Aparo Leonora. Her daughter Aciro Concy was abducted by the LRA in 1997.

Akot Esther. Her daughter Akell...ed by the LRA in 2000 at age 9.

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Akot Esther. Her daughter Akello Santina was abducted by the LRA in 2000 at age 9.

Oyella Betty. Her daughter Bend...in 2nd grade of primary school.

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Oyella Betty. Her daughter Bendetta Achan was abducted when she was in 2nd grade of primary school.

Mary Auma. Her daughter Atimang...d by the LRA in 2004 at age 14.

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Mary Auma. Her daughter Atimango Grace was abducted by the LRA in 2004 at age 14.

William Oryem. His son Komakech...d by the LRA in 1992 at age 17.

33 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

William Oryem. His son Komakech Charles was abducted by the LRA in 1992 at age 17.

Odora Nakumia. His son Phillip ... by the LRA in 1990s at age 16.

34 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Odora Nakumia. His son Phillip Onen was abducted by the LRA in 1990s at age 16.

Ocaya Santo. His brother Okello...d by the LRA in 1998 at age 32.

35 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Ocaya Santo. His brother Okello Charles was abducted by the LRA in 1998 at age 32.

Atoo Sisilia. Her three sons Or...s 25, 16, and 12, respectively.

36 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Atoo Sisilia. Her three sons Oringa George William, Kilama Ben, and Obita Moses were abducted by the LRA in 1996 at ages 25, 16, and 12, respectively.

Agal Yusufina. Her grandson Orach Franco was abducted by the LRA.

37 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Agal Yusufina. Her grandson Orach Franco was abducted by the LRA.

Omal Richard. His son Adonga Su...d by the LRA in 1995 at age 10.

38 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Omal Richard. His son Adonga Sunday was abducted by the LRA in 1995 at age 10.

Olweny Willy Onen. His niece Aj...d by the LRA in 1990 at age 13.

39 of 39 © 2024 Tadej Znidarcic

Olweny Willy Onen. His niece Ajok Akumu was abducted by the LRA in 1990 at age 13.

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Thumbnail of Omiya Anyima, Kitgum District, in the morning.

Thumbnail of Odora Nakumiya sits in the garde_ sadness that it did not happen.

Thumbnail of Odora Nakumiya holds the picture_s deceased wife Alwoch Jeroloda.

Thumbnail of Odora Nakumiya stands in his hut_er and wife and now lives alone.

Thumbnail of Odora Nakumiya weeds his garden _nlwane Village, Kitgum District.

Thumbnail of Footprint next to Mary Auma&_in Oryang Ojuma, Kitgum District

Thumbnail of Mary Auma plants sweet potato in_ur, only Grace has not returned.

Thumbnail of Mary Auma stands by the termite _. Mary now lives in Kitgum Town.

Thumbnail of Pots in the window of a house in_39;s compound in Kitgum, Uganda.

Thumbnail of William Oryem weeds his field wh_till hopes that is not the case.

Thumbnail of William Oryem smokes a cigarette_was abducted by the LRA in 1992.

Thumbnail of William Oryem stands on the road_ his field close to Kitgum Town.

Thumbnail of Palabek Gem Village, Lamwo Distr_le and some are still inhabited.

Thumbnail of Hut in the former camp for inter_ in Palabek Gem, Lamwo District.

Thumbnail of Akot Esther in her hut in Ajoa G_at age 9 and has never returned.

Thumbnail of Adong Rita cracks shea nuts in t_ed by the LRA in 1997 at age 10.

Thumbnail of Oyella Hellen and her mother Ado_l since he was abducted in 1997.

Thumbnail of Drawing on the door of the room _n the field close to their home.

Thumbnail of Omal Richard sits in his compoun_and she later committed suicide.

Thumbnail of Omal Richard holds gumboots that_hat Richard has left of his son.

Thumbnail of Mukasa Joseph Okidi and Adwar Si_dan and hasn't returned.

Thumbnail of Mukasa Joseph Okidi walks toward_rongwe Village, Kitgum District.

Thumbnail of Anna was abducted by the LRA in _ does not want to be identified.

Thumbnail of Atoya Vincent was abducted toget_e back home. He lives in a camp.

Thumbnail of Lalum Alicantina. Her daughter L_s abducted by the LRA at age 16.

Thumbnail of Akumu Mary. Her son Billy Richar_ed by the LRA in 1998 at age 18.

Thumbnail of Ayany Regina. Her son Otede Rich_ed by the LRA in 2000 at age 15.

Thumbnail of Langom Somali. Her child was abducted by the LRA.

Thumbnail of Aparo Leonora. Her daughter Acir_was abducted by the LRA in 1997.

Thumbnail of Akot Esther. Her daughter Akello_ted by the LRA in 2000 at age 9.

Thumbnail of Oyella Betty. Her daughter Bende_ in 2nd grade of primary school.

Thumbnail of Mary Auma. Her daughter Atimango_ed by the LRA in 2004 at age 14.

Thumbnail of William Oryem. His son Komakech _ed by the LRA in 1992 at age 17.

Thumbnail of Odora Nakumia. His son Phillip O_d by the LRA in 1990s at age 16.

Thumbnail of Ocaya Santo. His brother Okello _ed by the LRA in 1998 at age 32.

Thumbnail of Atoo Sisilia. Her three sons Ori_es 25, 16, and 12, respectively.

Thumbnail of Agal Yusufina. Her grandson Orach Franco was abducted by the LRA.

Thumbnail of Omal Richard. His son Adonga Sun_ed by the LRA in 1995 at age 10.

Thumbnail of Olweny Willy Onen. His niece Ajo_ed by the LRA in 1990 at age 13.

Public Story

Parenting the Missing

Copyright Tadej Znidarcic 2024

Updated Apr 2023

Location Uganda

During the insurgency in northern Uganda between 1986 and 2006 thousands of children were abducted. Recruitment into the LRA – which waged a lengthy and brutal war against the Ugandan government - was accomplished mainly by abduction. Their primary targets were children between 10 and 18 years of age, who were later used as child soldiers and sex slaves. Studies estimate that over 66,000 children were abducted and that the total number of missing people in the LRA-affected areas is higher than 12,000.

For their parents the war is still enduring and most have only memories of their children to hold on. In the fury of war their clothes, photographs and notebooks were lost. This project captures parents' experiences through their portraits and spaces and objects that symbolize their loss.

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